Paris rental choice question

My vote is for Arrondissement 5. I stayed right on the Rue Cler in 1999, and it was fine (7th Arr. and following Rick's suggestion), but since then I've heard more negatives about it. We've rented a place in the 4th (on Ile St. Louis) for next October and I think we'll be much better positioned.

I would agree that the 5th arr. is more centrally located. Depending on where in the 5th, the Louvre should be easy to get to; the Orsay will be a bit longer walk. The Eiffel Tower would be quite a long walk from the 5th, but we did it once, on a beautiful day, from the 6th. We've traveled in Europe with our family for up to 2 1/2 weeks, and got along with just doing hand washing in the sink of our hotel rooms. Daughter, son and I each had 21-inch rolling bags, husband had a 24-inch rolling bag.

I wouldn't worry about laundry for only a 5 night stay.. I go a week without doing much at all ( you can always sink wash some socks ). I would prefer the 5th myself. No one area is central to all sites, but from the 5th you can walk to alot more .

I like the 5th much, much more than the 7th. The 5th is in the heart of Paris and a much more fun area imo. It's closer to many more places that you'll want to visit on foot. It's very walkable to the Louvre and the Orsay, I'd say they were equal walking distance from the 5th. I also love being within walking distance of Notre Dame and the Luxembourg Gardens, my favorite place in Paris. I like staying on Ile St. Louis best (my favorite neighborhood of all), but the 5th is right up there. The washer would be a huge plus for me... but I'd still choose the 5th over the 7th, washer or not. Easy to find and use a laundromat.

I have stayed in the 7th (first visit) once and the 5th twice. The 7th is convenient to the Eiffel Tower, but not really walkable to other places you are likely to go. It is also very quiet (not much happening) at night. The 5th is more lively and closer to a lot of things. The washer is a big plus. I used a laundromat in the 7th around the corner from my hotel and had washers/dryers in the 2 apartments I rented in the 5th.

Any residential neighbourhood should have a laundromat, and they are a pleasant experience, in a way, because you get to be with the locals (who may have to explain the controls to you.) However, one drawback of apartment rentals is that there is no front desk like in a hotel to you locate essential services.

Although an apartment may not have a front desk, they usually come with a notebook full of information about the neighborhood, guidebooks, and a phone number to call if you have any questions or need assistance.

First, you're going to have a great time. "Paris in Springtime" is the best. The 5th Arr. is very handy. St.-Michel,Notre-Dame RER station makes it a no brainer to get to Paris from CDG on the cheap.(go to parisbytrain.com)(even has pic's of the station) The 7th Arr. is a nice "quiet" neighborhood, with some great places to eat, and loads of shopping on the rue Cler. If you stay here, stop in for dinner at La Varangue (Philippe's Restaurant)(27 rue Augereau) Local folks and simple food. Say "Hi" for me. No matter where you stay, you'll never be more than a ten minute walk from a METRO sta. I might suggest everyone get a "carnet", a quick map, and study up on a neighborhood you want to explore. Go to the sight you want to see, then walk back to your flat. The METRO system is pretty easy to figure out. I might make one suggestion. Pick a day and take the RER to Versailles. You can do it in a half day with no guide. Get your tickets at the TI around the corner from the train sta. on Ave de Paris. (left side of street behind the trees) Laundry shouldn't be an issue on a five day trip. But there is always a laundromat in every neighborhood.
Have fun.

First, you're going to have a great time. "Paris in Springtime" is the best. The 5th Arr. is very handy. St.-Michel,Notre-Dame RER station makes it a no brainer to get to Paris from CDG on the cheap.(go to parisbytrain.com)(even has pic's of the station) The 7th Arr. is a nice "quiet" neighborhood, with some great places to eat, and loads of shopping on the rue Cler. If you stay here, stop in for dinner at La Varangue (Philippe's Restaurant)(27 rue Augereau) Local folks and simple food. Say "Hi" for me. No matter where you stay, you'll never be more than a ten minute walk from a METRO sta. I might suggest everyone get a "carnet", a quick map, and study up on a neighborhood you want to explore. Go to the sight you want to see, then walk back to your flat. The METRO system is pretty easy to figure out. I might make one suggestion. Pick a day and take the RER to Versailles. You can do it in a half day with no guide. Get your tickets at the TI around the corner from the train sta. on Ave de Paris. (left side of street behind the trees) Laundry shouldn't be an issue on a five day trip. But there is always a laundromat in every neighborhood.
Have fun.